Exploring the prevalence and influence of ADHD symptomology and ADHD couple types among couple relationship education participants

Abstract

Emerging findings indicate that ADHD can be considered both a vulnerability and a strength in romantic relationships where one or both partners have ADHD. Learning healthy relationship skills through couple relationship education (CRE) has the potential to help couples who have ADHD mitigate potential relational vulnerabilities. However, no published CRE studies examine the prevalence or outcomes of participants who may have ADHD. This study sought to open the door to researching the experiences in CRE of individuals and couples who are likely to have ADHD. We examined prevalence, attendance rates, demographic and baseline functioning differences and changes in individual and couple functioning after the program by gender, ADHD symptomology, ADHD individual groups and ADHD couple types. In a diverse sample of 2810 individuals, we found that about one-eighth of CRE participants likely have ADHD. In addition, while CRE participants with a higher likelihood of ADHD began the program with more vulnerabilities in mental health and couple functioning, they reaped similar or greater benefits of the program than those with a lower likelihood of ADHD. We also found some modest evidence that there may be gender differences and distinctions among couples in which one vs. both partners likely have ADHD. Together, our results suggest that general CRE may be a resilience-promoting context for individuals who have ADHD symptomology that benefits their individual and relational well-being; however, adaptations may still be needed for ADHD individuals and couples.